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UrduBird wing shape — a proxy for long-distance flying ability, or dispersal — is a trait that influences biodiversity patterns on islands around the world, according to research from WashU biologists.
Tag: Environment
Impact of Climate Change on Water Resources Will Increase Price Tag to Decarbonize the Grid
A new study warns that current plans to achieve zero emissions on the grid by 2050 vastly underestimate the required investments in generation and transmission infrastructure. The reason: these plans do not account for climate change’s impacts on water resources. S
At the top of the world, lead pollution reaches even pristine glaciers
Human activities have led to the pollution of some of the remotest places in the world, a new study shows.
ESG as a nonmarket strategy to cope with geopolitical tension: Empirical evidence from multinationals’ ESG performance
Abstract Research Summary Although rising geopolitical tension is critically affecting multinational enterprises (MNEs), our understanding of geopolitics and its effects on corporate strategy is surprisingly limited. This study sheds light on this underexplored topic by examining the environmental, social, and…
Mekong Environment Resilience Week: Solutions for Southeast Asia’s Environmental Issues
The Social Research Institute of Chulalongkorn University, in collaboration with the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) Asia, and with support from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), held the Mekong Environment Resilience Week, celebrating SEI Asia’s 20th anniversary.
FAU Awarded DOE Grant to Test Ocean Current Energy Offshore Palm Beach County
FAU’s Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center (SNMREC) has received an $800,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to advance ocean energy technologies. Collaborating with various experts and organizations, SNMREC will conduct a pioneering feasibility study for an ocean current test facility off Palm Beach County, marking a first in leveraging top marine energy expertise. The project’s end goal is to improve the nation’s competitiveness in marine energy technology, encourage domestic manufacturing, and create jobs while helping to achieve the nation’s energy goals.
WHOI Scientists Discover Fastest Degrading Bioplastic in Seawater
After years of testing, a new version of CDA was found to be the fastest degrading bioplastic material tested in seawater—and it’s a promising replacement for other foam plastic materials, like Styrofoam, which can linger in the environment for many years.
Political Candidates Who Fight Climate Change Stand to Benefit in Election
Nearly 52% of Floridians favor candidates who reduce climate impacts. About 68% believe the state should take more action on climate issues and and 67% feel the federal government should as well. Notably, 88% acknowledge climate change is occurring. About 75% of respondents advocate for a diversified energy mix to include more electricity produced by renewable sources. Nearly 73% of respondents worry about home energy expenses and nearly 58% are concerned about being able to afford and maintain homeowners’ insurance due to climate change.
Multi-sector partnership leads to first practical pilot of vehicle-to-grid power
The University of Delaware is part of a joint effort involving energy and automotive partners that has launched the first practical pilot of “vehicle-to-grid” power (V2G) set up so that industrial participants can scale it at low cost. V2G technology was invented at UD.
Scientists develop novel method for strengthening PVC products
Researchers have developed a way to make one type of plastic material more durable and less likely to shed dangerous microplastics.
Biodiversity Policy in the United States
Biodiversity encompasses much more than the number of species—it includes the variety of ecosystems, the genetic diversity within and between species, and the interactions among species within ecosystems.
The Eyes of Birds
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to hear Terry Tempest Williams speak at a local event. I don’t remember many details of her talk, but I do remember her passion, her commitment, and her dedication to being a voice for the environment. Her book, Finding Beauty in a Broken World has been a guidepost for me as a science writer and writing instructor.
New Scientific Study Confirms Elephants Are Not Thriving in Zoos
A new peer-reviewed study published in the journal Peer J, “Continuing challenges of elephant captivity: the captive environment, health issues, and welfare implications”, has found that, despite recent efforts by zoos, captive elephants continue to face serious problems. This study represents the most up-to-date and accurate account of the persistent if not insurmountable challenges faced by captive elephants.
Non-Equilibrium Physics of Multi-Species Assembly Applied to Fibrils Inhibition in Biomolecular Condensates and Growth of Online Distrust
Abstract Self-assembly is a key process in living systems—from the microscopic biological level (e.g. assembly of proteins into fibrils within biomolecular condensates in a human cell) through to the macroscopic societal level (e.g. assembly of humans into common-interest communities across…
Scientists urge new conservation approach to save vulnerable species from climate change impacts
A team of international scientists alarmed by the loss of biodiversity across the world due to climate change has proposed a new approach to managing vulnerable landscapes, focusing on sites that are least impacted by changing weather.
Hot Streets, Historic Bias: Effects on Neighborhood Walking in Older Adults
Redlining from the 1930s, marked minority and low-income neighborhoods as “hazardous,” which influenced mortgage and insurance decisions. Results show that redlined areas have less greenspace and more pavement, intensifying urban heat. While higher temperatures generally decreased walking in “still desirable” or “best” neighborhoods, this effect was not significant in “definitely declining” or “hazardous” areas, possibly due to greater reliance on walking for essential activities. Findings underscore the lasting impact of discriminatory policies on environmental vulnerability and physical activity.
Chula Professor Receives United Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA 2024) for His Innovation “Academic Insight into Action for Pandemic Response”
Dr. Jatuwat Sangsanont from the Department of Environmental Science at the Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, has been awarded the United Nations Public Service Awards (UNPSA 2024) in the ‘Innovation in Public Institutions’ category.
Notre Dame researchers create new tool to analyze embodied carbon in more than 1 million buildings in Chicago
The impact of embodied carbon in the built environment has been difficult to assess, due to a lack of data. To address that knowledge gap, Ming Hu, the associate dean for research, scholarship and creative work in Notre Dame’s School of Architecture, and Siavash Ghorbany, a Notre Dame graduate student in civil and environmental engineering, have created a new tool to analyze the embodied carbon in more than 1 million buildings in Chicago. Their recently published research identifies 157 different architectural housing types in the city and provides the first ever visual analysis tool to evaluate embodied carbon at a granular level and to help inform policymakers seeking to strategically plan for urban carbon mitigation.
New UNLV Startup is Tapping “Unseen River” of Water Hidden in Ambient Air
WAVR Technologies, first startup to launch from NSF SWSIE resources, advances the search for water sustainability solutions in harsh desert climates.
International Day of Peace: September 21 | Notre Dame experts on cultivating a culture of peace
Sanctioned by the United Nations in 1981, the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on September 21 and serves as a call to action that we all have an individual and collective responsibility to foster peace. This…
Why isn’t Colorado’s snowpack ending up in the Colorado River? New research suggests the problem might be the lack of spring rainfall
The Colorado River and its tributaries provide water for hydropower, irrigation and drinking water in seven U.S. states and Mexico. But since 2000, water managers have struggled to predict how much water will come from the snowpack. The problem lies with the lack of rainfall in the spring, according to new research from the University of Washington.
UAlbany Study: Joint Effects of Thunderstorms and Power Outages Increase Respiratory-Related Emergency Department Visits
A new study led by UAlbany researchers is among the first to examine the joint effects of thunderstorms and power outages on respiratory-related emergency department visits in New York State.
FAU Lands $1.3M NSF Grant to Boost Dryland Soil Quality Amid Climate Stressors
Drylands, found across every continent, cover about 45% of the Earth’s land surface and support 38% of the human population. The NSF grant will enable scientists to enhance understanding of climate resistance of individual microbes and to improve microbial remediations to reduce soil degradation under climate change.
Organic nanozymes have broad applications from food and agriculture to biomedicine
A new paper from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign provides an overview of the current state of organic nanozymes and their future potential.
Sasin Action Learning: “Kung Bang Kachao: Developing Product and Pricing Strategies Concerning ESG and Circular Economy”
Sasin MBA students in the “Pricing Strategies in the Era of Sustainability and Digital Transformation” class, led by Assistant Professor Yupin Patarapongsant, had an excellent opportunity to immerse themselves in two fascinating eco-friendly experiences in Kung Bang Kachao, Samut Prakan.
Yeast Fuel, Developed by Chula’s Faculty of Science Soon to Expand Its Production for the Aerospace Industry
Researchers from Chulalongkorn University have made use of forage grass to feed microorganisms and convert the resulting fat into jet fuel. They aim to expand petroleum-based oil replacement production to reduce impacts on human health and the environment.
FAU Experts for the 2024 Hurricane Season
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1, and forecasts indicate a highly active season. Several Florida Atlantic University faculty experts are available to discuss various issues surrounding hurricane preparedness, evacuation and aftermath.
Coastal ecosystems: cracking the code
UC Irvine associate professor of ecology & evolutionary biology studies how warmer ocean water is affecting marine ecosystems, particularly the alarming reality that climate change often favors invasive species over native ones. Cascade Sorte has spent her career unraveling the mysteries of Earth’s changing oceans.
Study enhances forest monitoring accuracy in Mexico
Led by the University of Delaware, a team of researchers assessed forest extent in Mexico using satellite data and ground inventories with the goal of improving accuracy in forest monitoring. The research will improve future data collection efforts and enhance decision-making for forest management.
Turning trash into treasure: breakthrough innovations in PET plastic upcycling
A recent review has unveiled revolutionary methods to recycle and transform everyday polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic into valuable materials. By harnessing cutting-edge enzymes and catalysts, the review dramatically improves how we break down and reuse PET, slashing energy use and emissions.
UC Irvine study shows damaging impact of heat waves on vital organs
Researchers from the University of California, Irvine have found evidence of the molecular causes of the damaging impact heat stress causes on the gut, liver and brain in the elderly. These findings point to the potential of developing precise prognostic and therapeutic interventions.
Researchers offer US roadmap to close the carbon cycle
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and six other Department of Energy national laboratories have developed a United States-based perspective for achieving net-zero carbon emissions. The roadmap was recently published in the journal Nature Reviews Chemistry.
FAU Lands $1.3 Million Grant to ‘Clean Up’ Stinky Seaweed in Florida
Once Sargassum deluges beaches, removing, disposing and repurposing the seaweed presents many logistical and economic challenges. Cleaning up these huge piles of annoying seaweed while protecting these critical habitats at the same time is a precarious struggle.
SUNY ESF Leads Groundbreaking Research in Groundwater’s Role in Ecosystem Sustainability
Groundwater has been largely unstudied in its importance and role in sustaining ecosystems.
Open waste burning linked to air pollution in Northwestern Greenland
A case study on the effects of open waste burning on air quality in Northwestern Greenland calls attention to the importance of no-one-left-behind sustainable air quality monitoring in the Arctic region.
Tulane researcher available to talk about the climate-saving power of mangrove forests
Tulane University researcher Daniel Friess and his team work to unveil the critical role that mangrove forests play in the fight against climate change. Mangroves are shrubs or trees that grow mainly in coastal saline or brackish water. Mangroves have…
GoodWalk Thailand: Designing “Walkable City” Revitalizing the Economy, Enhancing Quality of Life for City Dwellers
Chula joins hands with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth) to design “Walkable City” using the GoodWalk Score as the criteria for selecting the pilot area to be developed as Walkable City in Bangkok as well as many cities around the country. The plan is to help reduce pollution, revitalize tourism, and the local economy while enhancing the quality of life and health for city dwellers.
How Much Dam Water is Needed for Fish and Energy?
New research identifies the most important factors in successful fish passage, pointing toward new options for flexible dam operations.
Study Details Toxic Elements Found in Stranded Whales, Dolphins Over 15 Years
Researchers evaluated the prevalence, concentration and tissue distribution of essential and non-essential trace elements, including heavy metal toxicants in tissue (blubber, kidney, liver, skeletal muscle, skin) and fecal samples. Findings reveal how toxicant levels relate to their sex, breed, age and other demographic factors.
First certified carbon-negative beef production opens doors to emerging agricultural technologies, says Notre Dame expert
Argentina, one of the premier beef producers in the world, has set a precedent for livestock farmers by certifying the first carbon-negative beef — opening the doors for a number of emerging technologies that have the potential to reduce methane emissions from…
Tawny owl’s pale grey color linked to vital functions ensuring survival in extreme conditions
A recent genetic discovery has revealed that the pale grey plumage of the tawny owl is linked to crucial functions that aid the bird’s survival in cold environments.
GW Experts Available: EPA Strengthens Rule on Harmful Soot Pollution
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is strengthening limits on soot, a harmful air pollution in which studies have shown that fine particles kill thousands of Americans every year. According to The Washington Post, the stricter standards could prevent thousands of premature…
Engineers unmask nanoplastics in oceans for the first time, revealing their true shapes and chemistry
In a new study, engineers at the University of Notre Dame have presented clear images of nanoplastics in ocean water off the coasts of China, South Korea and the United States, and in the Gulf of Mexico.
North America bird populations are declining; expert explains why
According to recent data, bird populations in North America have declined by approximately 2.9 billion birds, a loss of more than one in four birds since 1970. Experts say this bird loss will continue to grow unless changes are made in our daily lives.
UC Irvine-led study links long-term air pollution exposure to postpartum depression in SoCal
Irvine, Calif., Oct. 31, 2023 — Long-term maternal exposure to common air pollutants, both before and after childbirth, has been linked to increased risk of postpartum depression for mothers – with symptoms ranging from anxiety and irritability to suicide – and may lead to cognitive, emotional, psychological and behavioral impairments in their infants, according to research led by the University of California, Irvine.
Drawing a tube of blood could assess ALS risk from environmental toxin exposure
Investigators have developed a new risk score that assesses a person’s risk for developing ALS, as well as for survival after diagnosis, using a blood sample based on exposure to toxins in the environment, a new study shows.
Rivers contain hidden sinks and sources of microplastics
Significant quantities of microplastic particles are being trapped in riverbed sediments or carried through the air along major river systems, a new study has shown.
Despite being properly treated and highly diluted, wastewater still impacts on the river ecosystem
A study by the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) underscores the need to intensify efforts in the treatment of polluted water in order to preserve aquatic diversity
UC Irvine scientists reveal what fuels wildfires in Sierra Nevada Mountains
Irvine, Calif., Sept. 25, 2023 — Wildfires in California, exacerbated by human-driven climate change, are getting more severe. To better manage them, there’s a growing need to know exactly what fuels the blazes after they ignite.
The Smart Suit that Saves Forest Fires Firefighters’ Lives – An International Award-Winning Design by Chula’s Engineering Students
Students of the Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University have been awarded an MGA Award in recognition of their innovative design for their fire-resistant Smart Suit which uses IoT technology for connections and online activations to store data therefore reducing the risks and increasing the safety for firefighters at work in real time.